Removable and interchangeable unit for freight-cars.



H. W. KIRGHNER.

REMOVABLE AND INTERGHANGEABLE UNIT FOR FREIGHT CARS.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 9, 1910.

1,026,752, Patented May 21, 1912.

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o [o \a I QC a L c n uooaoooo H. W. KIRGHNER.

REMOVABLE AND INTERGHANGEABLE UNIT FOR FREIGHT CARS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 9, 1910.

Patented May 21, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

zZ fiara ea/ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY W. KIRCHNER, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO RIVER & RAIL TRANS- PORTATION COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF OKLAHOMA.

REMOVABLE AND INTERCI-IANGEABLE UNIT FOR FREIGHT-CARS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 21, 1912.

Original application filed March 17, 1910, Serial No. 549,865. Divided and this application filed June 9,

' 1910. Serial No. 565,969.

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, HENRY IV. KIRCHNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Removable and Interchangeable Units for Freight:

Cars, of which the following is a full, clear,

freight cars, Serial No. 549,865, filed March One object of my present invention is to provide a removable and interchangeable unit or compartment which is so constructed that it can be removed easily from the underframe of the car and-tilted into such a position that the contents thereof will be discharged.

Other objects and desirable features of my invention will be hereinafter pointed out.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a side elevational view of a freight ear provided with units constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of said car; Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the bail that is used for lifting the units bodily off the underframe; Fig. 4 is an end view of said bail; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view-of one of the trunnion plates with which the units are provided.

In order that my invention may be clearly understood I have illustrated the underframe of the car on which the units are mounted, and also the means that locks the units in operative position on t-he'underframe. My present invention relates to the construction of the units per 86, however, so that I do not wish it to be understood that the units are limited to use with an underframe or locking means of the design herein shown.

Referring to the drawings which illusof the units B herein shown consists of a rectangular-shaped box formed of metallic plates and commercially-rolled members,

preferably angle-bars l, which lap over the corners of the box so as to produce a strong and rigid compartment that is tight enough to hold liquids or line granular or' powdered materials.

The underframe A is provided with a plurality of unit-receivingpockets that are formed by a number. of transverse members which are arrangedebetween the units so as to prevent them from shifting longitudinally of the underframe, and a pair of longitudinally-extending members, preferably angle-bars, that extend the entire length of the underframe so as to prevent the units from moving transversely, it being understood, of course, that said members are permanent-ly connected to the underframe. The side sills of the underframe are provided with inwardly projecting horizontal flanges-on which the units rest, said flanges being arranged in a higher horizontal plane than the center sills and cross-bearers of the underframe so that the bottom of each unit will be spaced away from said parts and thus prevent the bottom of the unit from buckling upwardly as might occur if the unit rested directly on the center sills. The underframe is also provided with transversely extending supports which are arranged parallel to the transverse members of the-underframe so as to cooperate with the inwardly projecting flanges of the side sills to form an open frame on which the outer edge portion of the bottom of each unit rests.

Each unit is provided with casters or rollers of any preferred design which enable it to be moved easily after it has been gitudinal braces, pre

removed from the underframe, and in the construction herein shown, said casters are connected to transversely extending channels on the bottom of the unit. These channels stiflfen the bottom of the unit and prevent it from buckling, and, if desired, lonerably anglebars, can be arranged between said channels, the vertical legs of said channels and angle-bars being of less depth than the legs of the channel-shaped supports so as to prevent the central portion of the bottom of the unit from bearing directly on the underframe.

The two side walls of each unit are provided with X-shaped braces which preferably consist ofa pair of commerciallyrolled channels 9 arranged with their legs or flanges projecting outwardly'and their webs riveted to the outer faces of said side walls, as shown in Fig. 1. The two other walls of each unit are provided with handholds or ladders 10 which assist the train men to climb onto the tops of the units. It will, of course, be understood that the handholds on the outer walls of the two end units of the car are the only ones that are used, but I have provided both walls of each unit with hand-holes so that any of the units can be arranged at the ends of the car.

The units are locked together by means of latches 11 on one unit which cooperate with pins or projections on an adjacent unit, each unit being provided with a pair of latches 11 and a pair of pins 12 so as to enable the units to be interchanged. These latches 11 are preferably arranged adjacent the upper ends of the units, as shown in Fig. 1, near the upper ends of the X-shaped braces 9, and pivotally mounted hook-shaped devices 13 are arranged adjacent the lower ends of the unit for catching underneath cooperating hook-shaped members on the underframe so as to prevent the units from tilting or moving upwardly. Each of the devices 13 is mounted on a pin which is supported by a pair of brackets 15 that project outwardly from the side wall of the unit, and a dog, which is also mounted on said brackets, cooperates with the device 13 to lock it in its operative position, and also hold it in an inoperative position.

Each of the units is provided with atop wall which conslsts of a permanent portion 19 and a movable portion or door 20 that is hinged tosaid permanent portion, said door extending the entire width of the unit. If desired, the top wall of the unit can be provided with a filling opening that is normally closed by acap 35, thus enabling the unit to be filled without opening the door in said top wall. The hinge which connects the door 20 to the permanent portion 19 of the top wall is protected by a head 22.

A crane or other suitable lifting apparatus is generally used for removing the units from the underframe, and I have therefore provided each unit with a pair of trunnions 25 that are adapted to be engaged by'the lifting apparatus. The trunnions 25 of each unit pro ect laterally from the side walls of the unit, as shown in Fig. 1, and

to one side of the center of said side wall so that the' trunnion will be eccentrically disposed and thus cause the unit to turn or swing downwardly when the locking mechanism on the lifting apparatus is released, as hereinafter described. The trunnion castings26 are provided'on their inner faces with grooves and recesses 27 for receiving the flanges and the webs of the X-shaped braces 9 so that said castings will lie tightly against the side walls of the units and thus produce a strong and rigid structure but it will, of course, be understood that the trunnions could be connected to the units in various other ways withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention.

The lifting apparatus that is used for removing the units from the underframe consists of a bail or yoke which is adapted to be .said bearings can be slipped over the trunnions, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the heads 25 on the trunnions cooperating with said bearings to prevent the trunnions from slipping out of same. Each arm of the oke or bail is provided witha locking device consisting of a reciprocating plunger 31 that is adapted to project into a notch in the trunnion or in the head thereof and thus lock the unit in a level position so that it cannot turn or swing downwardly. The plungers 31 are slidingly mounted in guideways formed in the arms 29, and means is rovided for ,drawing said lunge'rs out 0t en agement withthe trunnions, the means herem shown consisting of levers 32 mounted on the arms 29 and connected by short links 33 to the upper ends of the plungers 31. The levers 32 are provided with chains 34 or other suitable devices so as to enable them to be operated easily from the ground.

A unit of the construction above described can be used for conveying liquids or fine granular or powdered materials in view of the fact that the units are watertight and dust-proof. Consequently, such materials can be transported at a low cost as it isnot necessary to store them in small packages or containers, the unit-s being filled at the plant of the manufacturer or. producer, then placed upon one of .the under-frames of the line or company that opcrates the cars, and after the car has arrived at its destination the units can be removed therefrom and conveyed. to the warehouse or placewhere'the material is to be stored or discharged. The units are so designed that they can be handled conveniently by a crane or other suitable lifting apparatus and as the units tilt automatically into a position to discharge their loads when the looking devices on the 'yokes are released, no manual labor is required to empty the units.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A freight car unit or removable compartment, consist-ing of a rectangular-shaped sheet metal rece tacle, X-shaped braces secured to the si e walls of said receptacle and formed from commercially rolled angles, trunnion plates secured to the side walls of said receptacle and provided on their inner faces with grooves and recesses for receiving the websand flanges of said X-shaped braces, laterally projecting trunnions on said plates arranged eccentric with reference to the centers of said X-shaped braces, and enlarged heads on said trunnions provided with means that is adapted to cooperate with looking devices on a lifting apparatus.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses, this sixth day of June, 1910.

HENRY w. KIROHNER.

Witnesses: a

WELLS L. CHURCH, GEORGE BAKEWELL. 

